Slay
Book - 2019 | First Simon Pulse hardcover edition
An honors student at Jefferson Academy, seventeen-year-old Keira enjoys developing and playing Slay, a secret, multiplayer online role-playing game celebrating black culture, until the two worlds collide.
Publisher:
New York :, Simon Pulse,, 2019
Edition:
First Simon Pulse hardcover edition
ISBN:
9781534445420
Branch Call Number:
Y MOR
Characteristics:
321 pages ; 22 cm



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violet_butterfly_7250
Aug 20, 2020
violet_butterfly_7250 thinks this title is suitable for 16 years and over

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Add a CommentThis book tells the story of a girl who creates a video game and juggles her friends, her boyfriend, her family and her role as the creator of the game. I enjoyed the concept of the virtual reality video game and although confusing at first, the descriptions of the game interested me throughout the story. Although I did not relate to the experience of black culture, I was able to relate to the main character's relationship with her friends and her sister. Minor spoiler: I thought the twist was surprising and thought-provoking. I recommend this book to teenagers of any race :)
Wonderful book and a timely message.
This book was a very fascinating, captivating read. It provides a new perspective on racism and discrimination and I would definitely recommend it. The story follows Kiera Johnson, who navigates keeping her highly popular video game under wraps, understanding her opinionated boyfriend, and knowing her own place in her community and the world.
Morris's spunky character Kiera brings to life a virtual reality game like no other. This story is great for readers who also love video games and for those who love to read fantasy (even though it is not a fantasy book).
This is a first novel, with first novel-type problems (most notably, a game platform with half a million registered users, but the good/bad guys are all in Bellevue, WA). However, this is super readable AND has some really great information about privilege/microagressions that will make POC readers feel "seen" and help white readers learn.
Kiera is inspiring as she learns to stand up for herself and her rights. Online gaming meets #metoo.
Kiera is a high school student by day and a videogame mod and developer by night. Juggling these two roles is exhausting, and it feels like she is barely keeping things together when tragedy strikes. One of her players is killed by another player over the game, and now the game is under scrutiny because it was produced by black people for black people. Kiera is at risk of being sued. She's receiving threatening messages. Will she and her game survive?
So, I loved this. I thought she handled racial politics well. I was disappointed in the Malcolm character, but ultimately I felt like the book wasn't for me. It was a conversation with her community, and it's really great. Also, I love the cover! Girls in glasses for the win.
The audiobook is read by Kiersey Clemons with assistance from several others, and it is very well voiced!
A Must-Read Young Adult staff pick. "Ready Player One" meets "The Hate U Give" in this dynamite debut novel that follows a fierce teen game developer as she battles a real-life troll intent on ruining the Black Panther–inspired video game she created and the safe community it represents for black gamers.